Apparatus for receiving linear material from extruding or similar machines



Aug. 16, 1960 s. M. JQHNSON ETAL 2,949,000

, APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL I FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILARMACHINES Original Filed June 26, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 mg N SMITH M.JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD ATTORNEY I Q N 2 2 INVENTORS v m gm m.

Qv K Nu k 8 E on R u 3 I vn M Q 9 3 3 MN1 R ML n E r em 3 on wk m I!I!!! llstiil S. M. JOHNSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIALAug. 16, 1960 FROM EXTRUDING 0R SIMILAR MACHINES Original Filed June 26,1956 INVENTORS SMITH M. JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG. 9

ATTORNEY B omo G GQ AA ug- 1950 s. M. JOHNSON ET AL 2,949,000

APPARATUS FOR mzcmvmc LINEAR MATERIAL s Sheets Sheet 3 FROM EXTRUDING ORSIMILAR MACHINES Original Filed June 26,- 1956 JOHNSON 8 FARMWALD IN VEN TORS SMITH 'M. JOHN A.

ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1960 s. M. JOHNSON ET APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEARMATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILAR MACHINES Original Filed June 26, 19568 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS SMITH M. JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD ATTORNEYAug. 16, 1960 s. M. JOHNSON ET AL 2,94

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILARMACHINES Original Filed June 26, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q) I LL I I n via n Y 3* a;

I I i l l l 1 I W illllllgg I, n I llr I I J l I Q ii W 5 I H J v i I ii" INVENTORS B SMITH M. JOHNSON &

JOHN A. FARMWALD BY ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1960 s. M. JOHNSON ET AL 2,949,000

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILARMACHINES Original Filed June 26, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS SMITHM. JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1960 s. M. JOHNSON ET AL2,949,000

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILARMACHINES Original Filed June 26, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS SMITHM. JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1960 M, JOHNSON ET AL2,949,000

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILARMACHINES Original Filed June 26, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS SMITHM. JOHNSON 8 JOHN A. FARMWALD ATTORNEY United States atent APPARATUS FORRECEIVING LINEAR MATERIAL FROM EXTRUDING OR SIMILAR MACHINES Originalapplication June 26, 1956, Ser. No. 593,872. Divided and thisapplication Feb. 24, 1959, Ser. No.

' 796,195 9 Claims. (Cl. 53-123) The present invention relates,generally, to apparatus for handling linear material, such as theproducts of extruding machines.

. This application is a division of our copending application Serial No.593,872, filed June 26, 1956.

An apparatus similar to the one shown herein and in the parentapplication above identified is disclosed and claimed in United StatesLetters Patent No. 2,679,964, issued June 1, 1954, on an applicationfiled by one of the present applicants, John A. Farmwald.

In some respects the present invention consists of specific improvementsupon the patented apparatus, certain of the objects of the laterinventions being to generally simplify and better the construction andoperation of the apparatus.

Common to the embodiments of the several inventions are an elongatedsupporting frame or structure, a carriage reciprocable therealong thatincorporates a receiver or tray for elongate flexible material, meansfor reciprocating the carriage, and a conveyor that is supported withits discharge end about midway of the length of travel of the carriage,preferably in such manner that the discharge end of the conveyor and thereceiver or tray may be relatively moved in a direction transversely ofthe path of movement of the carriage.

The present apparatus, like the patented one, is capable of two modes ofoperation. One mode of operation is adapted to the handling ofextrusions of relatively small and simple cross sections, while theother is suited to the handling of extrusions of larger and morecomplicated cross sections. In the first mentioned mode of operation,the material is delivered continually from the discharge end of theconveyor directly onto the receiver or tray as the carriage travelsto-and-fro at the same speed, the discharge end of the conveyordesirably being moved relative to the receiver, transversely of thelatter, so as to lay one convolution of the extrusion after another uponthe receiver, the apparatus desirably including a cutting mechanismsituated adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor by which theextrusion may be severed into pieces of the desired length or cut toproduce a single continuous piece when the tray is loaded. In the othermode of operation, which is adapted to the handling of extrusions oflarger and/or more complicated cross sectional designs, and wherewiththe invention that constitutes the subject matter of this divisionalapplication is concerned, the material is-transported by the mainconveyor and an auxiliary or extension thereof to the receiver or trayduring the forward excursions only of the carriage and is cut, incidentto the conclusion of each forward excursion, into pieces of the desiredlength that are laid side by side upon the receiver or tray, thecarriage traveling in the reverse direction at a considerably higherspeed.

Generally speaking, the first mode of operation was carried out insubstantially the same way by both the present and the patentedapparatuses. However, in performing the second mode of operation bymeans of the ice original apparatus, the carriage was held stationary, asecond conveyor was located alongside the carriage to which theextrusions were delivered by the first con veyor, and two men wererequired, one to sever the material and both to lift the severed piecesfrom the second conveyor to the receiver or tray of the carriage.

Among the objects of the present invention are to render the apparatussubstantially automatic in the performance of the second mode ofoperation, and to maintain the same rate of output, so to speakyas inthe performance of the first mode of operation.

Another related and more specific object of the inven tion is to providean auxiliary or extension for the conveyor that will sustain thematerial as it leaves the conveyor during the time that the carriage ismoving in said reverse direction, and that will automatically retract insynchronism with the forward movement of the carriage so as to permitthe material to descend upon the receiver or tray as the carriageadvances.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a control system,preferably electrical and pneumatic, for governing the action of theapparatus and for rendering such action automatic, and which includesadjustments that are simple and convenient of manipulation by which thelength of travel of the carriage may be varied, and by which theapparatus may be caused to out the material accurately into pieces ofdiiferent predetermined lengths.

The foregoing objects and advantages, with others that will appear asthis description proceeds, are attained in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like partsare designated by like reference characters throughout the severalviews.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, of theapparatus of our invention, the views being simple and bordering on theschematic type of illustration;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus, drawn to a scaleconsiderably larger than that of the previous views, the apparatusappearing as though viewed from the left of Figs. 1 and 2, as indicatedby the line 33 associated with the former view;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation substantially on theline 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the upper part of the machine, asindicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the machine asviewed from the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, the view being broken awayintermediate its ends and contracted in length, and showing theauxiliary or extension of the conveyor in retracted position in fulllines, and projected, in broken lines;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the friction clutchand pressure fluid devices included in the mechanism for driving thecarriage in forward and reverse directions, the plane of section beingindicated by the line 77 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 8 and 9 (Sheet 2) are, respectively, a sectional detail on theline 88 of Fig. 6, and a detail as viewed from the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are schematic views that illustrate the manner inwhich the linear material is laid upon the receiver or tray insuccessive convolutions or strips as the carriage reciprocates,according to the first mode of operation of the apparatus;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views similar to Figs. 10 to- 12, illustratingphases of the second mode of operation wherein severed pieces of thelinear material are laid upon the receiver or tray as the carriage movesforwardly, and wherein the material is temporarily sustained by theauxiliary or extension of the conveyor while the & carriage moves in thereverse direction at increased speed, and

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic perspective View showing the essential Workingparts of the apparatus and the electrical and pressure fluid system bywhich the operation of the apparatus is controlled and renderedsubstantially automatic.

The frame of the apparatus, designated generally by the referencenumeral 1, is elongated and of rectangular shape, and it is supported adistance above the floor by rollers 2. The top longitudinal corners ofthe frame 1 are constituted of angle rails 3, and the opposed rails forma track along which a carriage 5 is reciprocable. The carriage issupported from the horizontal flanges of the rails 3 by anti-frictionmeans or rollers 6, while similar means or rollers 7 are incorporated inthe carriage for cooperation with the vertical flanges of the rails.

10 designates a receiver or tray incorporated in or supported by thecarriage and whereon the linear material is laid during the operation ofthe apparatus. The receptacle or tray is desirably removable from thecarriage so that it may be lifted therefrom and transported to a placeof curing, provided the work consists of extrusions of uncured rubber orthe like.

Power for reciprocating the carriage is derived from a prime mover orelectric motor 12 that is supported within the frame 1, near the lowerleft hand corner thereof as the apparatus is viewed in Figs. 2 and 4. 14denotes a conventional power transmitting mechanism including shafts 15and 16 that are operatively connected by speed reducing gearing (notshown) that is enclosed in the casing 17. As best appears from Fig. 3,the shaft 16 extends forwardly a substantial distance beyond the casing17 and is journaled in bearings 18 and 19 that are carried by uprightsof the frame 1. Thus. the power transmitting mechanism 14 is supportedsolely by the shaft 16, and it is held against swinging about the axisof said shaft by a link 20 which is pivotally connected at one end tothe lower portion of the casing 17, and similarly connected at itsopposite end to the support for the prime mover or motor 12. The shaft15 has fixed thereto a pulley 22, and engaged over this pulley, and onedesignated 23 that is fastened to the shaft of the motor 12, is a belt24. The previously mentioned link 21) includes a turnbuckle 25 by whichthe length of the link may be varied, thereby to adjust the casing 17about the axis of the shaft 16 and alter the tension of the belt 24.

Supported in hangers 28 and 29 that depend from the rails 3 near theleft hand end of the frame 1, is a cross bar or shaft 30. Mounted uponthis cross bar or shaft 30 (Fig. 7), through an anti-friction bearing 31in order to insure freedom of rotation, but suitably held againstmovement longitudinally of the shaft, is a driving member 33 of a clutchgenerally designated 34. The clutch is desirably of the friction type,and the driving member 33 is shown as a pulley. About the member 33 ofthe clutch, and a pulley 35 that is mounted upon and secured to thepreviously mentioned shaft 16, is a belt 36. Shown as inset within theopposite sides of the clutch member 33 are annular friction elements 37.Slidably mounted on the shaft 30, on opposite sides of the clutch member33, are hubs and 41 that are rigidly connected together by means of aU-shaped frame or yoke 42. The upper ends of the side branches of saidyoke embrace the hubs 40 and 41 and are fastened thereto by screws 43.Mounted, through the medium of anti friction bearings 44 and 45, uponthe reduced inner ends of the hubs 40 and 41 are the respective drivenclutch members 46 and 47. The driven clutch member 46 is in the form ofa single pulley that is somewhat less in diameter than the drivingclutch member 33, while the driven clutch member 47 is in the form of adouble pulley, the smaller component being of the same size as themember 46, while the other one is considerably greater in diameter thanthe driving clutch member 33.

Engaged over the driven clutch member 46 is a flexible carriagepropelling element or belt 50, and adapted to be engaged over one or theother of the components of driven clutch member 47 is a similar elementor belt 51. These belts extend nearly the full length of the frame 1 andare guided over idlers 52 and 53, respec-..

'tively. These idlers are journaled in yokes 54, carried by screws thatare adjustable within an adjacent part of the frame 1. By this means ofadjustment, the tension of belts 50 and 51 may be regulated; and when itis desired to engage belt 51 over the larger component of the drivenclutch member 47, the corresponding idler 53 may be adjusted inwardlythe required distance to compensate for the greater diameter of saidlarger component.

Arms 57 and 58 (Fig. 5) are fastened to and depend from the carriage 5,the former alongside the belt 50, and the latter alongside the belt 51.The lower end of, the arm 57 is clamped by a U-bolt 59 to the upperflight of the belt 50, and the lower flight of the. belt 51 is similarlysecured by U-bolt 60 to the lower end of the arm 58.

When the motor 12 is energized the shaft 16 Will be. driven in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, thereby to rotate thedriving member 33 of the clutch 34 in a corresponding direction throughthe medium of the belt 36. Consequently, when either of the drivenclutch members 46 or 47 is engaged with the driving member 33, the belt59 or 51 engaged thereover will be driven in the direction indicated bythe arrows in Figs. 2 and 4. It follows, therefore, that when the clutchmember 46 is being driven the carriage 5 will be propelled forwardly byreason of the fact that the arm 57 of the carriage is clamped to the topflight of the belt 50; and when the clutch member 47 is being driven thecarriage will be propelled in the reverse direction because of its beingconnected through the medium of the arm 58 with the lower flight of thebelt 51. It is obvious that while one of the driven clutch members is infrictional engagement with the driving clutch member 33, thecorresponding belt will propel the carriage, in a given direction, andthat, simultaneously, the other belt and driven clutch member will becaused to idle in the opposite direction due to the connection of saidother belt with the carriage.

Mounted upon the cross shaft 31) adjacent the ends of the yoke 42 arepressure fluid devices 63 and 64. These devices are shown as cylindricalbodies that have axial bores within which are fitted the thicker ends ofsleeves 65. Said cylindrical bodies are counterbored for a considerabledepth at their ends adjacent the yoke 42 to provide annular pressurefluid chambers 67, the inner walls of which chambers are formed by thesleeves 65. Within each annular chamber 67 a ring-like piston 68operates, the same preferably being made of rubber or pliable plastic.The pistons 68 bear directly against the outer ends of the hubs 40 and41. The bodies of the devices 63 and 64- are positively held againstendwise movement upon the shaft 30, and they are prevented from turningabout their axes by straps 70 that are fastened at one end by screws 71to the devices, and at their opposite ends by screws 72 to a crossmember of the frame 1, this feature being best shown in Fig. 3. Pressurefluid is delivered to and conveyed from the. chambers 67 of therespective devices 63 and 64. through conduits 73 and 74.

It is evident from the foregoing description that when pressure fluid isadmitted to the chamber 67 of the de vice 63, the piston 68 of saiddevice will be. projected less than its length beyond the open end ofthe chamber and shove the hub 40 along the shaft 30 until the clutchmember 46 is firmly engaged with the adjacent friction element 37 of thedriving clutch member 33, this move ment being transmitted through theyoke 42 to the hub 41, thereby to cause retraction of the piston 68 ofthe pressure fluid device 64, the chamber of the latter device beingvented at this time through the conduit 74. Incidentally, the positionsof the parts shown in Fig. 7 resulted from the delivery of pressurefluid to the chamber of the device 64, and simultaneous release of fluidfrom the chamber of the opposite device 63 through the con duit 73. Whenthe pressure fluid device 63 is energized, as above described, the belt50 will be driven by the clutch member 46 to move the carriage in theforward direction; and when the device 64 is energized, the belt 51 willbe driven by the clutch member 47 to return the carriage. If the returnis to be rapid, as in the second mode of operation hereinbefore brieflyexplained and hereinafter to be more fully described, the'belt 51 isshifted from the smaller component of the double pulley clutch member47, where it is illustrated in the drawings,

to the larger component of said clutch member.

75 designates, generally, a belt type conveyor by which the linearmaterial or extrusion that constitutes the work W is transported fromthe source of supply, such as an extruding machine M (Fig. 2), to thereceiver or tray 10. The belt 76 of said conveyor is engaged about arelatively large roller 77 at the receiving end of the conveyor, andabout a smaller roller 78 at the discharge end thereof. The upper andlower flights of the conveyor belt 76 are shown as being sustained inparallel relation to each other by a roller 79 that is located adjacentthe roller 77. These rollers 77, 78 and 79 are suitably supported forrotation in a frame structure 80, and for a purpose presently to appear,an additional relatively small roller 81 is mounted for free rotation bythe forward end of the frame structure in about the plane of the lowerflight of the conveyor belt 76. The frame structure 80 is supportedadjacent the left hand end of the apparatus through the medium of abracket 84 that is carried by the frame 1. The said structure 80 ispivotally connected to the bracket by a king bolt 85 which defines avertical axis about which the conveyor is capable of being swung so thatthe discharge end thereof may be shifted transversely of the path ofmovement of the carriage in the distribution of the work upon thereceiver or tray 10.

At a suitable location intermediate its ends, the conveyor 75 rests upona cross member 87 that is fastened to the frame 1 and extendstransversely thereof above the path of movement of the carriage 5, theframe structure 80 bearing upon said member and sliding across the samewhen the conveyor is swung about the axis of the king bolt 85 as abovedescribed.

The roller 77 of the conveyor is fixed to a shaft that projects beyondthe front of the frame structure 80 Where said shaft has secured to it apulley 90. Over this pulley and a pulley 92 that is fastened to theforward end of the shaft 16 is a belt 93.

Mounted upon the conveyor 75 a suitable distance inwardly from itsdischarge end is a cutter generally designated 95 for severing thelinear material into pieces of desired length as the material is beingcarried forward by the conveyor belt 76. The cutter 95 preferablyconsists of the mechanism that constitutes the subject matter of UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,846,002, dated August 5, 1958. Said cutterinvolves shear blades 96 that are actuated by pneumatic means includinga cylinder 97, and said pneumatic means is under the control of asolenoid valve 98. When the solenoid is energized the valve functions tocause the cutter to operate with an instantaneous action and cut theelongated material or extrusion W by means of the blades 96.

&1stained by and beneath the forward end of the frame structure 80 ofthe conveyor 75 is a relatively long pressure fluid cylinder 100 withinwhich a piston 101 operates. The rod 102 of the piston has attached toits forward end an auxiliary conveyor or extension 105, which mayconsist of a conventional roller type conveyor. The auxiliary orextension 105 is reciprocable within guiding means 106,

carried by the frame structure 80. When pressure fluiddesirablycompressed air-is admitted to the inner end of the cylinder 100 and theopposite end thereof is vented, the piston 101 will be impelledforwardly and, through the rod 102, project the auxiliary or extension105 beyond the discharge end of the conveyor 75. Conversely, whenpressure fluid is admitted to the outer end of the cylinder 100 and theother end thereof is vented, the auxiliary or extension 105 will beretracted.

, vices 63 and 64, contain the switches'112 and 113, re-

spectively.

The electrical and pressure fluid circuits of the control systemhereinbefore referred to, and by which the operation of the apparatus isrendered substantially automatic, may follow conventional engineeringpractice.

Therefore, no attempt has been made herein to represent said circuitsfurther than in the manner shown in Fig. 10, where certain branches ofthe electrical circuits are represented by solid lines and certainbranches of the pressure fluid circuits are represented by broken lines.This view is in the nature of a diagrammatic perspective, and itincludes the Various switches, solenoid valves, and manual valves bywhich the apparatus is controlled in the performanc of both modes ofoperation.

Among the switches shown in Fig. 10 are the previously mentioned onesdesignated 112 and 113, through which reversal of the carriage iseffected. Associated with these respective switches are other similarswitches 115 and 116. 'It is through these latter switches that theoperation 1 of the cutter 95 is controlled, as will presently appear.

The unit designated 118 in Fig. 16 includes two solenoid valves thateffect delivery of pressure fluid to and release of fluid from thedevices 63 and 64 by which the clutch 34 is actuated. It is thus clearthat each of these valves is of the type that delivers the pressurefluid to the line when in one position, and vents said line when in theother position. Also, it is obvious from the context that each valve ispositioned to deliver pressure fluid when the solenoid of such valve isenergized. Connection of the switches 112 and 113 with the solenoids ofthe corresponding valves of [the unit 118 is through the respectiveconductors 120 and 121. One of the valves of the unit 118 communicateswith the pressure fluid device 63 throughthe conduit 73, while the othervalve of said unit communicates through the conduit 74 with the device64.

The previously mentioned solenoid valve 98 eifeots-delivery of pressurefluid to, and its escape from, the cylinder 97 of the cutter through aconduit 122. The solenoid of the valve 98 is in circuit with theswitches and 116 through the respective conductors 123 and 124. Amanually operated valve 127 controls the supply of pressure fluid,through a conduit 128 that branches from the conduit 74, to the rear endof the cylinder 100, while a similar valve 130 controls the flow ofpressure fluid through a conduit 131, that branches from the conduit 73,to the front end of the cylinder 100.

I will now describe how the switches 112, 113, 115 and 116 are mountedand actuated. Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9, a raildesignated is fixedly supported, as by posts 136, within andlongitudinally of the frame 1. Each of the switches is carried by abracket 138 that is mounted upon and is adjustable along the rail 135,and is adapted to be locked in any selected position by a clamping screw139. The switches 112 and 115 are similarly positioned upon theirrespective brackets 138 so that said switches are in alignment with eachother; but

these switches are out of alignment with the aligned switches 113 and116, as best appears from the diagram of'Fig. 10. A hinged actuator 14!)is carried by an arm 141 that is attached to and depends from thecarriage in alignment with the switches 112 and 115, and a similaractuator 142 is supported in alignment with the switches 113 and 116 byan arm 143 that is also carried by and depends from the carriage 5. Asthe carriage moves forwar'dly in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10,the actuator 140 will wipe over and momentarily close each of theswitches 115 and 112, and as the carriage moves in the reversedirection, the hinged actuator 140 will passively drag over saidswitches and will have no eifeot upon them. As the carriage continues tomove in reverse direction, the actuator 142 will successively engage andclose the switches 116 and 113-, and in the forward movement of thecarriage will drag over and have no effect upon the latter switches.

Since the switches 112 and 113 effect reversal of the carriage, it isevident that the stroke of the carriage, so to speak, or the extent ofits travel, may be varied by adjusting the switches along the rail 135.It is also clear that the length of the pieces of linear material thatare being cut may be changed, when desired, by shifting the switches 115and 116 along the rail 135. However, there is usually maintained a givendistance between the switches of each pair-that is to say, betweenswitches 112=and 115 on the one hand, and between switches 113 and 116,on the other-since, in the second mode of operation especially, thematerial is desirably cut to coincide with the reversal of the carriage.When the linear material is to be laid in a continuous piece upon thereceiver or tray in reverse convolutions until the receiver or tray ispractically filled, according to the first mode of operation, theswitches 115 and 116 may be removed from the rail or, at least shiftedlaterally out of the path of the actuators.

Since, as above mentioned, it is usually desirable to maintain a givenrelationship between the switches 112 and 115 on the one hand, andbetween the switches 113 and 116 on the other, the brackets 138 whereonthe switches of the respective pairs are mounted are adapted to be tiedtogether through the medium of perforated straps 145, shown in Figs. 2,6, 8 and 9, the straps being fastened to the brackets by screws 146. Byreason of this connection between the switches of each pair, the twopairs may be adjusted along the rail 135 to change the stroke of thecarriage, without disturbing the relationship between the switches ofeach pair.

First mode of operation In describing the first mode of operation of theapparatus it will be assumed that the material, which is relativelysmall in cross sectional area and is of simple design, is to be laid insuccessive convoiutions upon the receiver or tray and that it is to bein a continuous piece, which means that it is severed when the tray isfilled. Consequently, for this operation, the switches 115 and 116 maybe removed from the paths of the actuators 140 and 142; and should it bedesired to sever the linear material that is laid in reverseconvolutions upon the tray into two or more pieces, obviously the cuttermay be actuated by means of a manual switch, for example, at therequired intervals.

With the prime mover or electric motor 12 in operation, the drivingclutch member 33 will be rotated, as will also the drum 77 of theconveyor 75. Assuming that the clutch 34 is in the condition illustratedin Fig. 7, the carriage 5 will be moved rearwardly until the actuator142engages and closes the switch 113, whereupon the corresponding solenoidvalve in the unit 118 will be operated to deliver pressure fluid throughthe conduit 73 to the pressure fluid device 6 3 and shift the drivenmembers of the clutch so that the member 47 will be released and themember 46 engaged with the driving clutch member 33. This will result inreversal of the carriage and it will now move forwardly until the switch112 is engaged and closed by the actuator.v 140, thereby to causepressure fluid to be delivered to device 64 and return the clutch to itsformer condition thereby to move the carriage rearwardly. l

During this time the linear material or extrusion W will be carriedforwardly at a speed corresponding substantially to the speed of thecarriage and, as shown in Fig. 10, will run off of the forward end ofthe conveyor 75 onto the receiver or tray 10 asthe carirage movesforwardly in the direction of the arrow associated with the carriage insaid view. This action will continue untilthe switch 112 is engaged andclosed by the actuator 140, whereupon the carriage will be reversed andmoved in a rearward direction, as indicated by the arrow associated withthe carriage in Fig. 12, thereby to lay the next con-' volution of theextrusion W upon the receiver or tray. To properly distribute thematerial upon the tray, the operator shifts the discharge end of theconveyor 75 across the receiver or tray, as indicated in dotted lines inFig. 1. When the tray is filled, the material is severed, as byoperation of the cutter 95, and the tray may now be removed from thecarriage and taken to a place of curing.

Second mode of operation As previously explained, the second mode ofoperation is adapted to the handling of linear material of such crosssectional size and/or shape as to make it impractical or undesirable tofold the material back and forth in successive convolutions, or todeliver it in alternately inverted strips, as it is laid upon thereceiver or tray. Therefore, in the present mode of operation, thesuccessive strips are laid side by side in corresponding position uponthe receiver or tray as the carriage moves in a forward direction only.

In order to maintain substantially the same rate of output, so to speak,as in the first mode of operation, the carriage is returned at a speedconsiderably greater than that at which it travels forwardly, the latterbeing substantially the same as the speed of the conveyor 75 by whichthe material is transported to the receiver or tray.

Therefore, to condition the machine for the second mode of operation,the idler 53 is moved inwardly by appropriate adjustment of its screw 55and the belt 51- that is guided thereover is shifted to the largerpulley or component of the clutch member 47. Also, the switches and 116are properly positioned upon the rail 135 with respect to the switches112 and 113, and the manual valves 127 and 130 (Fig. 16) are opened,these valves, which control delivery and exhaust of pressure fluid toand from the opposite ends of the cylinder 1110, effecting projectionand retraction of the conveyor auxiliary or extension 1115, said valves127 and 130 being set as to effect movement of the auxiliary orextension at the proper speed.

Now, with the apparatus in operation, the linear material or extrusion Wis advanced by the conveyor 75 and is laid upon the receiver or tray 10as the auxiliary or extension 1115 retracts and the carriage movesforwardly, Fig. 13 showing the parts in the positions they occupy whenthe carriage has nearly reached the end of its forward movement. Theswitch actuator 1411, ac cording to said view, has just overridden andmomentarily closed the switch .115, thereby to cause the cutter 95 tooperate and sever a piece of material. The trailing end of this piece ofmaterial descends upon the receiver or tray 10 as the carriage completesits forward movement, such movement terminating with the overriding andactuation of the switch 112 by the actuator 140. The closing of saidswitch causes energization of the solenoid that actuates thecorresponding valve of the unit 118, which valve effects delivery ofpressure fluid, through the conduit 74, to the pressure fluid unit rearend of the cylinder 100.

Under these circumstances, the driven clutch member 47 will be engagedwith the driving clutch member 33 and the corresponding carriagepropelling element or belt 51 will be operated at relatively high speedto effect quick return movement of the carriage. At the same time theconveyor auxiliary or extension 105 will be projected, as indicated bythe arrow associated with said part in Fig. 14, thereby to temporarilysupport the advancing end of the linear material or extrusion W whilethe carriage moves rearwardly as indicated by the arrow associated withthe carriage in Fig. 14. As the carriage continues to move rearwardly,the auxiliary or extension 105 will proceed forwardly to sustain thematerial until the carriage again starts forwardly. When this occurs,and as soon as the advancing end of the receiving or tray moves underthe corresponding end of the extension 105, said extension will start toretract, allowing the material to be laid upon the receiver or tray asthe carriage continues to advance at the speed of advancement of thelinear material. The auxiliary or extension 105, as hereinbefore pointedout, is desirably in the nature of a roller conveyor. Accordingly, thematerial tends to drop over the forward end of the extension as theextension retracts, and the roller 81 overcomes any tendency of thematerial to follow the extension as the latter is retracted.

While I have referred herein to belts and pulleys, it is to beunderstood that these terms embrace all reasonable equivalents, such assprocket chains or other flexible driving elements, and sprocket wheelsor other appropriate devices; and the present embodiment of theinvention is to be taken as illustrative, rather than as limiting, thesame being susceptible to such changes and modifications as fall withinthe scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling it rearwardly at a considerably increasedspeed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over the path ofmovement of the carriage for delivering linear material to the receiver,an extension supported for reciprocation beneath the discharge end ofthe conveyor, and means for projecting the extension beyond said end ofthe conveyor while the carriage is moving rearwardly and for retractingthe extension While the carriage is moving forwardly.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling it rearwardly at a considerably increasedspeed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over the path ofmovement of the carriage for delivering linear material to the receiver,an extension supported for reciprocation beneath the discharge end ofthe conveyor, means for projecting the extension beyond said end of theconveyor while the carriage is moving rearwardly and for retracting theextension While the carriage is moving forwardly, and a cutter supportedadjacent the conveyor for cutting the material into lengths.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling the carriage rearwardly at a considerablyincreased speed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over thepath of movement of the carriage for delivering linear material to thereceiver, an extension supported for reciprocation beneath the dischargeend of the conveyor, power means for projecting the extension beyondsaid end of the conveyor while the carriage is moving rearwardly and forretracting the extension while the carriage is moving forwardly, andmeans operating insyti chronisrn with the movements of the carriage foreffectin operation of said power means. 1

4. In apparatus of the character described, a support-= ing structure, acarriage reciprocable along said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling the carriage rearwardly at a considerablyincreased speed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over thepath of movement of the carriage for delivering linear material to thereceiver, an extension sup ported for reciprocation beneath thedischarge end of the conveyor, power means for projecting the extensionbeyond said end of the conveyor while the carriage is moving rearwardlyand for retracting the extension while the carriage is moving forwardly,means governing the operation of said power means that functions intimed relation to the movements of the carriage, a cutter supportedadjacent the conveyor for cutting the material into lengths, andmechanism for operating said cutter in synchronism with thereciprocation of the carriage.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting Structure, acarriage reciprocablealong said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling the carriage rearwardly at a considerablyincreased speed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over thepath of movement of the carriage for delivering linear material to thereceiver, an extension supported for reciprocation beneath the dischargeend of the conveyor, pressure fluid means for projecting the extensionbeyond said end of the conveyor while the carriage is moving rearwardlyand for retracting the extension while the carriage is moving forwardly,fluid conveying means for delivering pressure fluid to said pressurefluid means, valve means operatively associated with the fluid conveyingmeans for governing the delivery of the pressure fluid, electrical meansfor operating the valve means, switch means, an electric circuitincluding said switch means and the valve actuating means, and meansoperating in synchronism with the reciprocation of the carriage foractuating the switch means.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along said structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, means for propelling the carriage forwardly at onespeed and for propelling the carriage rearwardly at a considerablyincreased speed, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end over thepath of movement of the carriage for delivering the linear material tothe receiver, an extension supported for reciprocation beneath thedischarge end of the conveyor, pressure fluid means for projecting theextension beyond said end of the conveyor while the carriage is movingrearwardly and for retracting the extension while the carriage is movingforwardly, fluid conveying means for delivering pressure fluid to saidpressure fluid means, valve means operatively associated with the fluidconveying means for governing the delivery of the pressure fluid,electrical means for operating the valve means, switch means, anelectric circuit including said switch means and the valve actuatingmeans, means operating in synchronism with the reciprocation of thecarriage for actuating the switch means, a cutter supported adjacent theconveyor for cutting the material into lengths, a second pressure fluidmeans for operating the cutter, fluid conveying means for deliveringpressure fluid to said second pressure fluid means, further valve meansfor governing the delivery of pressure fluid to the second pressurefluid means, electrical means for actuating said further valve means, asecond switch means, an electric circuit including the latter and thelast mentioned electrical means, and means operating in synchronism withthe reciprocation of the carriage for actuating the second mentionedswitch means.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a support;

ing structure, a carriage reciprocable along the structure andincorporating a receiver for linear material, power means forreciprocating the carriage, two controls therefor spaced apart along thepath of movement of the carriage for effecting reversal of the carriagewhen said controls are individually actuated, a conveyor arranged withits discharge end over the path of movement of the carria'ge fordelivering linear material to the receiver, a cutter supported adjacentthe conveyor for cutting the material into lengths, power mechanism foroperating the cutter, two controls therefor, one associated with each ofthe former controls, and means movable with the carriage for actuatingall of said controls.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along the structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, power means for reciprocating the carriage, twocontrols therefor spaced apart along the path of movement of thecarriage for effecting reversal of the carriage when said controls areindividually actuated, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end overthe path of movement of the carriage for delivering linear material tothe receiver, a cutter supported adjacent the conveyor for cutting thematerial into lengths, power mechanism for operating the cutter, two

controls therefor, one associated with each of the former controls andconstituting therewith a set, the two sets of controls being adjustabletoward and from each other, and means movable with the carriage foractuating said controls.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting structure, acarriage reciprocable along the structure and incorporating a receiverfor linear material, power means for reciprocating the carriage, twocontrols therefor spaced apart along the path of movement of thecarriage for etfecting reversal of the carriage when said controls areindividually actuated, a conveyor arranged with its discharge end overthe path of movement of the carriage for delivering linear material tothe receiver, a cutter supported adjacent the conveyor for cutting thematerial into lengths, power mechanism for operating the cutter, twocontrols therefor, one associated with and adjustable toward and fromeach of the former controls, and means movable with the carriage foractuating the controls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,395,909 Dellenbarger Nov. 1, 1921

